Special Chapel Hill store lets teachers stock up for free

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Chapel Hill, N.C. — Teachers in the Chapel Hill area got the chance to do some back to school shopping of their own Wednesday for free.

The East Chapel Hill Rotary Club opened a store for area teachers, who each received $75 in vouchers to purchase classroom supplies they usually pay for out of pocket. Organization officials said the store was especially important this year with cutbacks in state education funding.

Teachers say they appreciate the help.

"It just shows people do support education, the public supports education," teacher Wendy Lybrand said. "We are very fortunate to live in this community that is very supportive of us."

The Rotary club works with the Chapel Hill Public Schools Foundation and dozens of local contributors and volunteers to transform the American Legion building in Chapel Hill into a full-fledged store. About 600 teachers are expected to shop there by the time the event ends Thursday.

InTheNoAug 26, 2013

The Dept. of Public Instruction's money is up for grabs - even with the lottery - not enough to pay teachers and buy supplies. Why? Well, the carpetbaggers that began showing up in the 60s CAN take it, so they do, and the reason that DPI is a target is because anyone who is in the group in power in NC doesn't need public schools, their kids go to private schools - regardless of whether or not they have the scholastic aptitude to warrant a private school, they have the money pay for a private school. McCrory will be remembered as the most destructive, regressive Governor in NC history.

DidoAug 26, 2013

I agree with dollibug....I thought the whole reason they rammed the Lottery legislation through was to help our educational system. Why should teachers have to pay out of pocket expenses for items they need in THEIR classrooms?

djofraleighAug 23, 2013

It's a bit dishonest to imply the Chapel Hill schools have cut back on supply funds for teachers without noting the numbers. I'd say that teachers up in Warren County should envy this $75 giveaway when their PTA and county government are not so wealthy, but life isn't fair when rich & poor counties are compared.

Teachers do spend their own money on their classrooms, but why not just give the money to the teachers to use for their own use, such as a spa treatment or comfortable shoes? I guess, really, this generous gift is for the kids. That's good.

TrustingAug 23, 2013

Bring it on some good news for the teachers. Please please people if you can go offer your services to the education system. I am all for background checks on people but just know it is all for the welfare of the children. There are so many things you as an individual can do to help a school. You would be surprised - listening to a child learn to read, helping with the plants on the inside or outside, making copies, grading papers - the help is endless and so very much appreciated. Just sitting with children in a classroom can hlep ease the teacher's burdens and even the children feela sense of more adults to hlep them. Please check with your local school. I am not talking about hours of your valuable time - maybe one hour a week just to hlep a teacher after students are gone for the day would boost their day. Just think about it.

dollibugAug 23, 2013

I thought the *lottery money* was suppose to be applied to EDUCATION.....so exactly how has this money been spent? No raises for teachers in years....so many cutbacks throughout NC.....someone needs to review the funds and just where they go.

indrdwAug 23, 2013

Great idea! Ashamed this is even a need when so much tax money is spent on education, the teachers did not get a raise and so much tax money at all levels is wasted.

People could do so much more themselves if the government did not take so much from them. The government can never take care of anything better than we as American citizens can or could do for ourselves.

Radioactive TedAug 22, 2013

Yes, well done, Rotary Club.

jerryrollAug 22, 2013

creating thinking and support....well done! Maybe other groups will follow your lead